Environmental committee raises concerns about PPL tree removal

March 05, 2013|By Patrick Lester, Of The Morning Call

The chairman of Lower Macungie Township's Environmental Advisory Council has raised a number of concerns about PPL Electric Utilities' plan to remove and trim trees in its right of way under power lines.

Scott A. Alderfer recently wrote to the township manager asking if the township could require that PPL's contractor — PennLine — "clean up after themselves and not leave cut trees and brush laying where it was cut."

PPL's plans to clear trees under its transmission lines prompted some outcry from residents concerned about the amount of trees that will be taken down in Lower Macungie. It's not clear when that work will begin.

Alderfer also raised concerns about how the work would affect the Little Lehigh Creek, which he pointed out is designated by the state as a "high quality coldwater fishery." He questioned whether the contractor would use an "aquatic friendly" herbicide as part of the project and when the herbicide would be applied.

He said the environmental board also recommends that the contractor be required to have proper erosion and sedimentation controls in place to ensure protect the Little Lehigh from runoff.

"We understand that PPL has a federal mandate to clear vegetation from their [rights of way], but we hope that the township would still have a voice in the manner in which this mandate is carried out in environmentally sensitive locations…"

Township commissioners expect to hear from a PPL representative about the tree removal project during their 7 p.m. meeting on Thursday, March 7. The commissioners meet at the township building, 3400 Brookside Road.

PPL officials will address the board early on in the meeting. To see the entire meeting agenda, click here.